Shloka 3.43.23
मायामृगदर्शनम् (The Vision of the Illusory Deer)
एवं सीतावचः श्रुत्वा तं दृष्ट्वा मृगमद्भुतम्।।3.43.22।।लोभितस्तेन रूपेण सीतया च प्रचोदितः।उवाच राघवो हृष्टो भ्रातरं लक्ष्मणं वचः।।3.43.23।।
paśya lakṣmaṇa vaidehyāḥ spṛhāṁ mṛgagatām imām | rūpaśreṣṭhatayā hy eṣa mṛgo 'dya na bhaviṣyati || na vane nandanoddeśe na caitrarathasaṁśraye | kutaḥ pṛthivyāṁ saumitre yo 'sya kaścit samo mṛgaḥ ||
Look, Lakṣmaṇa, at Vaidehī’s longing fixed upon this deer. In the excellence of its beauty it has no equal—such a creature is found neither in this forest, nor in Indra’s Nandana grove, nor in Kubera’s Caitraratha park. How then, O Saumitrī, could any deer on earth be its match?
On hearing Sita's words and seeing the wonderful deer, Rama was tempted by its appearance.Prompted by Sita,he joyfully said this to Lakshmana:
Dharma here is tested by fascination: admiration for beauty can rationalize risky action. The lesson is to prioritize protective duty and clear judgment over extraordinary appearances.
Rāma speaks to Lakṣmaṇa about Sītā’s intense desire for the deer, praising its unmatched beauty and thereby justifying the pursuit.
Rāma’s attentiveness to Sītā’s feelings is evident; simultaneously, the episode highlights the needed virtue of prudence in leadership decisions.